Trenton Hiser is trying to walk in the footsteps of his uncle, Mike Hiser, a successful Hollywood director. During Trenton's summer vacation, he goes with his uncle to film the inside story of Scarlet Thunder, a top-level stock-car racing team. As they film the action, too many things go wrong, deadly mistakes are made and Trenton finds out that much more than the race is at stake.
"An exciting read for late junior/early intermediate readers and especially good for the high interest/low vocabulary crowd."
– Resource Links
"Brouwer does a great job at conveying the combination of excitement and danger that makes racing so attractive to competitors and spectators alike."
– NMRLS Youth Services Book Review
"Any teens who are interested in cars will dive right into this fast moving hi-lo novel that offers a gritty picture of the details of racing cars."
– CM Magazine
"A good, fun and easy read that guys and girls will both enjoy. Another Orca Sports winner!"
– South Western Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
"It was quick and easy to read, like a summer novel; it was exciting in the right way, because the action crept up on me until, before I knew it, I was totally engaged in the story; and it provided a lot of the background readers never see on television, enhancing the drama."
– Middler Books and More blog
"An exciting high-stakes adventure where readers can easily imagine the adrenaline thrill of the racetrack and root for Sandy's efforts to overcome the labels she attracts. There is adequate character development for discussion and reluctant readers will find the 4.1 RL approachable."
– Puget Sound Council
Download the Scarlet Thunder Teacher Guide.
